Elastomer Or Plastic Patents (Class 384/536)
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Patent number: 7699526Abstract: A support damper is provided for a bearing assembly to improve the damping capabilities of an uncentered squeeze film damper and to provide a support structure stiffness to minimize rotor to structure unbalance response. In one embodiment, and by way of example only, the support damper includes an inner ring, an outer ring, and U-shaped beams. The inner ring is configured to be disposed around the bearing assembly and to extend axially along a portion thereof. The outer ring is spaced apart from the inner ring and extends radially outwardly relative thereto. The U-shaped beams couple the inner ring to the outer ring. Methods of manufacturing the support damper are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey W. McMurray, Mohsiul Alam, Doug K. Spencer, Simeon A. Ning
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Patent number: 7686515Abstract: A radially movable bearing for a shaft of a gear in a steering system includes a bush or outer ring that is supported in a receiving element of a mount or housing for the gear. In order to create a radially flexible bearing for the shaft of the gear, which movable bearing enables quiet operation for the entire service life of the gear, the outer ring or the bush is held by at least one support element that is inserted in a gap between the receiving element and the outer ring, and that is made of a material with elastomer behavior.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventor: Achim Schust
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Patent number: 7682086Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for supporting a shaft axially and radially in a rack includes a roller bearing with a carrier, a portion of which is supported at the rack with an element with elastomeric properties being interposed between a support for the rack and the portion of the carrier. In order to indicate a roller bearing, which supports the shaft axially and radially, and makes an inclined position of the shaft possible without causing straining of the system of shaft, roller bearing and rack, the element with elastomeric properties, viewed in the tangential (circumferential) direction of the roller bearing, has at least a first region, the stiffness of which is different from that of the remaining tangential (circumferential) region.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: ZF Lenksystems GmbHInventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck, Manfred Weller
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Publication number: 20100065364Abstract: The subject matter of the present invention is a bearing device for the vibrationally decoupled rotary mounting of an intermediate shaft on the engine block of a motor vehicle. It has the following features: a. a radial bearing with an inner ring for accommodating the intermediate shaft, and an outer ring, b. a bearing housing provided for attachment on the engine block of the motor vehicle and for accommodating the radial bearing in a non-rotatable manner, and which forms a mechanical interface for the attachment of the bearing housing on the engine block of the motor vehicle, wherein the bearing device further comprises at least one rubber-elastic damper member provided to be disposed in a vibration-damping way between the bearing housing and the engine block when the bearing housing is mounted on the engine block.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2009Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: tedrive Holding B.V.Inventors: Christian FELCHNER, Ole Biskup, Luis Höks
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Patent number: 7654746Abstract: In a spindle rotor, the orientation of the figure axis is accepted and the anchoring of the rotor bearing (SL) is configured such that the orientation of the geometric rotational axis adapts to the physical main axis of inertia. The bearing is configured in the form of an actively controlled bearing, whereby the orientation is measured and is dynamically carried out, but also in the form of bearing comprising passive elements which are associated with the external ring of the bearing and enable a correspondingly dynamic orientation of the bearing. A damper (T) is provided to dampen the vibrations of the bearing (SL).Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Uwe Ladra, Elmar Schäfers, Dietmar Stoiber, Bernd Wedel
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Patent number: 7637666Abstract: In a shaft bearing comprising outer and inner parts with an elastic element carrier disposed therebetween, the elastic element carrier includes first and second elastic elements disposed on opposite radial sides thereof and is movable with respect to one of the outer and inner parts in axial direction and with respect to the other of the outer and inner parts in radial direction, and the elastic elements disposed between the element carrier and the outer, and respectively, the inner parts have selectable elasticities so as to provide for distinct selectible radial and axial resiliencies of the shaft bearing.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: MTU Friedrichshafen GmbHInventor: Reiner Schmid
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Patent number: 7637667Abstract: A bearing assembly is provided that enables the bearing assembly to be press fit onto a steering shaft and/or within a shaft housing without excessive stress on the bearing races and without affecting bearing clearance or torque requirements while also tolerating angular misalignment between the shaft and housing. The assembly includes unbroken inner and outer races with ball bearings disposed therebetween. A housing assembly includes a radially extending wall on one side of the outer race and a deformable axially extending wall. A elastomeric isolator also includes a radially extending wall and a deformable axially extending wall that are disposed between the outer race and the corresponding walls of the bearing assembly housing. A washer is disposed on an opposite side of outer race and is disposed between radially inwardly extending lips formed by deformation of the axially extending walls of the isolator and housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Kilian Manufacturing Corp.Inventor: Brian D. Schaub
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Publication number: 20090297082Abstract: An exemplary spring for positioning a turbocharger bearing in a housing includes a free standing inner diameter, a free standing outer diameter and a substantially sinusoidal shape to provide an inward radial bias and to provide an outward radial bias wherein the spring balances the inward radial bias with the outward radial bias to thereby position a turbocharger bearing in a housing. Various exemplary springs, bearings, housings, assemblies, etc., are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Inventor: Gerald D. Larue
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Patent number: 7611288Abstract: A resilient mount (30), such as a center bearing isolator mount includes an inner sleeve (52) into which is molded an elastomer/rubber isolator (60), and an insert (70). These components are prepared as a sub-assembly (50) and axially inserted into the opening of an outer bracket (32), whereby fingers (76) deflect radially during insertion and snap-fit radially outward once received through the bracket opening to preclude disassembly. A lower insertion force is required to assemble the components.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2004Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.Inventor: John G. Lew
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Patent number: 7594760Abstract: A bearing cup having a ring and a shoulder extending radially inward from an inner surface of the ring. At least one tang extends axially outward from a first side of the ring. At least one tab extends axially outward from a second side of the ring opposite the first side. And, at least one slot is formed in the second side. The bearing cup prevents the outer race of a conventional rolling element bearing from rotating while allowing the bearing to move in an axial direction. The assembly is designed for use with either a single rolling element bearing or a set of two bearing assemblies or any number of closely spaced bearings. The advantage of the device is that it eliminates spinning of the bearing assembly outer race. The device also prevents frictional sliding between a bearing assembly outer race and a preload spring. Frictional sliding imposed on a bearing outer race can induce galling and subsequently lead to part failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.Inventors: James D Goss, John M Fabry
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Publication number: 20090214145Abstract: The unitary center support bearing subassembly comprises a bearing over which a plastic bearing housing has been molded while simultaneously molding the plastic bracket insert and joining members which space and fix the distance between the bearing housing and the bracket insert. The joining members are removed or broken prior to molding the overmolded rubber portion, or, if the joining member is flexible, the overmolded rubber portion is molded while maintaining the joining member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KGInventors: Lawrence CISLO, Matthew SENDZIK
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Patent number: 7553123Abstract: A support ring (1) for rolling bearings (11), especially for rolling bearings applied to rotors with very high rotation speed, such as rotors of rotary vacuum pumps, the ring comprising a pair of concentric cylindrical shells (3, 5) connected together by a plurality of oblique radial plates (9), at least one of said shells (3, 5) being circumferentially broken so as to define a plurality of shoes (7), each shoe being connected to at least one of the radial plates (9) in such a manner as to define shoe portions or arcs (A1, A2) of different length, wherein the plates (9) are resilient and allow for the radial displacement of the shoes (7) so as to restrain vibrations of the rotating portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2005Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Varian, S.p.A.Inventor: Fausto Casaro
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Patent number: 7500788Abstract: A center bearing assembly has an adjustable pneumatic support member for absorbing vibrations. The bearing assembly includes a bearing and a support member assembly that supports the bearing. The support member assembly includes a bladder having an interior chamber that is filled with a fluid. A bracket is provided that supports the support member assembly for pivoting movement relative thereto. A system is provided for controlling the magnitude of the fluid pressure within the interior chamber of the bladder. The system includes a plurality of sensors that generate signals that are representative of a plurality of operating conditions. A controller is responsive to the sensor signals and generates a signal to a pressure regulating device that controls the magnitude of the fluid pressure within the interior chamber of the bladder.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Dana Automotive Systems Group, LLCInventors: Robert G. Joyner, James A. Duggan, Johnny N. Smith
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Patent number: 7488111Abstract: A composite resilient mount for rolling element bearings, comprising a composite hoop portion, and including a plurality of circumferentially dispersed inner pads and outer pads defining a plurality of arcuate beam portions disposed circumferentially between adjacent pads. The hoop portion and the inner and outer pads, may comprise a circumferentially wound fiber, such as a carbon fiber, and a resin. The inner and outer pads may be rounded, feathered or otherwise configured to eliminate edges from the inner and outer pads, thereby preventing damage to adjacent components. A method for providing damping to a rolling element bearing is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Chen, Sam Shiao
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Patent number: 7478952Abstract: A decoupling device for the bearing arrangement of a shaft carried in a housing, in particular a shaft of a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission with a chain that functions as the belt. The decoupling device includes an outer bearing ring configured with a circularly cylindrical outer surface and within which the shaft is mounted, and an inner surface of a housing that encloses the bearing ring outer surface. At least one radial ondular washer is arranged between the bearing ring outer surface and the housing inner surface, which allows a limited relative radial movement between the housing inner surface and the bearing ring outer surface by elastic deformation of the washer.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 20, 2009Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Betelligungs KGInventors: Hartmut Faust, Oswald Friedmann, André Linnenbrügger, Ronald Glas, Christian Bauer, Hans-Walter Wodtke
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Publication number: 20080292232Abstract: The invention relates to a bearing of a drive shaft (6) by means of an intermediate bearing (1) and a roller bearing (5, 10, 11) in relation to a housing (3, 7, 8), characterized in that it comprises a locking element (4) which blocks a relative movement in the rotation direction between the housing (3, 7, 8) and the intermediate bearing (1) and allows a relative movement between the housing (3, 7, 8) and the intermediate bearing (1) along the rotational axis of the shaft (6). According to the invention, the material of the locking element has a high resistance to corrosion and consists essentially of brass or stainless steel and the housing (3) comprises a plain bearing bush made of plastics (14).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Anton Wirthmann
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Patent number: 7448808Abstract: An arrangement of bearing supports for a rotating shaft mounted on bearings connected to an engine stator structure by bearing supports of which at least one is made up of N>1 elements effectively acting in parallel to simultaneously connect the bearing to the structure, of which N?1 of the N elements form this connection by fusible links, is made up of a first bearing supported by a first bearing support and a second bearing supported by a second bearing support, that of the two bearing supports which makes up the N>1 elements being the second bearing support.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Gael Bouchy, Alain Mazelet, Daniel Jean-Marie Martin, Patrick Charles Georges Morel
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Publication number: 20080267550Abstract: In a propeller shaft for a motor vehicle, an outer periphery of an outer end of an annular support member is formed as an expanded poison.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi Hirakawa, Toru Yamada
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Publication number: 20080267549Abstract: In a propeller shaft for a motor vehicle, a cover is provided in an outer end of an annular support member, the cover extends to an inner side in a radial direction from an outer end of the annular support member, and the extended end sets a gap formed with respect to an outer shell of a stopper means so as to be open in an axial direction to an inlet of a labyrinth seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: SHOWA CORPORATIONInventor: Toru Yamada
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Publication number: 20080205809Abstract: A mass damper for use with a drive shaft center support bearing is located on a non-rotating portion of the bearing and is suspended on a spring element for free vibration and has a resonance that is selected to be the same as that which would otherwise be communicated to the vehicle through the bearing by the drive shaft and drivetrain components. The two embodiments are each tunable so that the damper can be set to have different resonant vibration characteristics, as required for use with different drive shaft and drivetrain configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Steve X. Lin, Carlos F. Osorio, Nitin Y. Wani
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Publication number: 20080095484Abstract: A center bearing support providing improved impact harshness, load capacity, and long term fatigue durability through the introduction of a tunable stopper element which allows greater control as the excitation levels of a supported shaft are increased, including an inner element installed on the inner periphery surface of an outer element fixed to a body side through an elastic body made of elastomer material and a center bearing or bushing installed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner element, wherein a stopper extending convergently is formed at the end part of the flexible main body of the elastic body, and a rib is formed between the stopper and the end part of the flexible main body at a specific phase interval, whereby, because a deformation force given by the contact of the stopper with the outer ring when an excessive displacement is input is absorbed by the displacement of the end part of the flexible main body, an abrupt rise of a spring constant can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: Freudenberg-NOK General PartnershipInventors: Todd M. Wirges, Paul M. Fernandez
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Publication number: 20070217725Abstract: A roller bearing assembly for supporting a shaft axially and radially in a rack includes a roller bearing with a carrier, a portion of which is supported at the rack with an element with elastomeric properties being interposed between a support for the rack and the portion of the carrier. In order to indicate a roller bearing, which supports the shaft axially and radially, and makes an inclined position of the shaft possible without causing straining of the system of shaft, roller bearing and rack, the element with elastomeric properties, viewed in the tangential (circumferential) direction of the roller bearing, has at least a first region, the stiffness of which is different from that of the remaining tangential (circumferential) region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: September 20, 2007Applicant: ZF Lenksysteme GmbHInventors: Martin Budaker, Michael Jueschke, Roland Winter, Oliver Hetzel, Michael Hauck, Manfred Weller
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Publication number: 20070211980Abstract: In a shaft bearing comprising outer and inner parts with an elastic element carrier disposed therebetween, the elastic element carrier includes first and second elastic elements disposed on opposite radial sides thereof and is movable with respect to one of the outer and inner parts in axial direction and with respect to the other of the outer and inner parts in radial direction, and the elastic elements disposed between the element carrier and the outer, and respectively, the inner parts have selectable elasticities so as to provide for distinct selectible radial and axial resiliencies of the shaft bearing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventor: Reiner Schmid
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Patent number: 7201075Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus having a displacing mechanism in which a fitting hole potion is provided to a gear housing for fitting with and holding a bearing to which a worm shaft for transmitting rotating force of a steering assisting motor to a steering shaft provided with a worm wheel is fitted, the portion being formed of a pair of split members formed by splitting the portion into two, one split member being movable toward the other split member to adjust a distance between a shaft center of the worm shaft and a rotation center of the worm wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Tsutsui, Masayuki Watanabe
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Patent number: 7174806Abstract: A bearing damping system for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices, an evacuated energy storage system including such a bearing damping system for damping vibrations produced by the rotating shaft and conducting heat from bearings and/or bearing assemblies; and a method for damping vibrations and conducting heat from vibration-producing, heat-generating devices. The bearing damping system includes one or more flexible bearing dampers in combination with one or more heat transferring rosettes. The heat transferring rosettes comprise a flexible thermally conductive member that transfers heat by conduction from the bearings, bearing assemblies and/or heat generating devices to a remote heat sink.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Beacon Power CorporationInventors: Norman C. Brackett, Omar M. Kabir, James F. Arseneaux
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Patent number: 7097363Abstract: A seal assembly includes a shield that is mounted to an outer race on each side of a self-centering bearing and a resilient seal that is mounted between a bearing inner race and a shield on each side of the bearing. The shield and seal form a protected annulus volume adjacent the outer race and ball bearing in which grease is packed.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLCInventors: Robert J. Ostrander, Dhanesh B. Krishna, Christopher John Steele, Anthony G. Lentini
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Patent number: 7052183Abstract: A composite resilient mount for rolling element bearings, comprising a composite hoop portion, and including a plurality of circumferentially dispersed inner pads and outer pads defining a plurality of arcuate beam portions disposed circumferentially between adjacent pads. The hoop portion and the inner and outer pads, may comprise a circumferentially wound fiber, such as a carbon fiber, and a resin. The inner and outer pads may be rounded, feathered or otherwise configured to eliminate edges from the inner and outer pads, thereby preventing damage to adjacent components. A method for providing damping to a rolling element bearing is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Robert P. Chen, Sam Shiao
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Patent number: 7044646Abstract: A center bearing assembly includes a generally U-shaped bracket and a support member containing a bearing. In a first embodiment, a plurality of openings is formed through the bracket. Each of the openings has axially forward and rearward tabs provided thereon which extend inwardly toward the center of the bracket. The outer surface of the support member is formed having a plurality of outwardly extending protrusions. When the support member is installed in the bracket, the outwardly extending protrusions of the support member are received within the openings formed in the legs of the bracket to prevent the support member from being withdrawn radially from the bracket. Portions of the axially facing surfaces of the support member are engaged respectively by the tabs to prevent the support member from moving axially relative to the bracket. In a second embodiment, a plurality of openings is formed through the bracket, and a pair of circumferential inwardly extending flanges is provided thereon.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Tōrque-Traction Technologies LLCInventors: Albert Aiken, Virginia L. McClanahan, Michael D. Penn
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Patent number: 7004636Abstract: The concept of the invention is based on a machine housing with a bearing housing, the bearing seat of which is connected to a housing wall of the machine housing by a bearing housing wall provided with ribs (42, 43) and is subjected to radially directed forces (11, 44). The proposal is made that the bearing housing wall possess at least one ring shaped annular rib (42) which at least partially encompasses the bearing seat in an area (21), the angle (?) of inclination of which, relative to its original unloaded condition, would change itself to the greatest extent under load (11). Further proposed is that a plurality of additional ribs (43) run transverse to the annular rib (42). Thereby, with a relatively small consumption of material, a good shape-retention is achieved. In addition, a tilting of the bearing seat and the bearing is held to a lesser extent than is the case of conventional bearing housing structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventor: Arnulf Deschler
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Patent number: 6964211Abstract: A vehicle steering column (10) comprises an axially extending input shaft (12) for connecting to a vehicle steering wheel. The input shaft (12) is rotatable about an axis (A) upon rotation of the steering wheel. The vehicle steering column (10) also comprises a housing (16) at least partially enclosing the input shaft (12). A bearing (92) is interposed between the housing (16) and the input shaft (12) and supports the input shaft (12) for rotation about the axis (A). The housing (16) has at least one series of axially spaced, annular ribs (52) that at least partially extend around the bearing (92). Axially adjacent annular ribs (52) are separated by an annular groove (58). A gasket (100) is interposed between the bearing (92) and the ribs (52). The gasket (100) encircles the bearing (92). The ribs (52) resist axial movement of the gasket (100).Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Thomas R. St. Myer
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Patent number: 6960024Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6948857Abstract: A bearing system includes a ball-and-socket joint (1) having an annular spherical body (2) and a congruently shaped, socket-type guide ring (3) for accommodating the spherical body (2), the ball-and-socket joint (1) being radially connected to an elastic annular spring element (4) made of an elastomer material and also being radially connected to a bearing (5); the spring element (4) being connected to a housing (6) on the side facing radially away from the ball-and-socket joint (1); the bearing (5) being able to execute cardanic movements relative to the housing (6); and the facing surfaces (7, 8) of the ball-and-socket joint (1) and housing (6) being always positioned relative to each other in a manner that avoids relative cardanic movements during operation of the bearing system as intended.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KGInventor: Michael Schuetz
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Patent number: 6942451Abstract: A dampening system for a miniature high-speed turbojet engine provides single or multiple resilient mountings for forward and aft bearings which mount a rotor shaft. The self-induced first engine order of the rotating rotor shaft is transmitted through the forward and aft bearing and is then absorbed in the resilient mountings.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Eric Alexander, Anthony Jones, Mark Harris, Robert Barkley
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Patent number: 6939052Abstract: A bearing with integrated mounting features is provided with a groove in at least one of the races thereof. The groove is of a shallow depth and provides a mounting location for a mounting ring of slightly different diameter than the race so as to permit the mounting and maintenance of the mounting ring by compression or interference upon the bearing, particularly during shipping and assembly. Consequently, the bearing may be preassembled even when the use of metal mounting rings is contemplated to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and conditions wherein slippage of the races is likely to occur.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Precision Components, Inc.Inventor: David Warren Hull
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Patent number: 6913391Abstract: A bearing (3) for fixing a steering shaft (1) in a housing (4) is characterized in that the inner bearing ring (8) comprises, in at least one axial direction, an integrally formed cylindrical extension (11) adjoining the raceway (9), and the inner bearing ring (8) is pressed onto the steering shaft (1) with this cylindrical extension (11) which comprises through-holes (12) through which a locking ring (13) positively engages a groove (26) of the steering shaft (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KGInventors: Ulrike Weisskopf, Rainer Lutz, Jurgen Weiss
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Patent number: 6883967Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A plurality of bladders is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. Each of the bladders is filled with a quantity of a rheological fluid. Fluid communication between adjacent pairs of the bladders is provided by respective control valves. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to each of the control valves so as to vary the ability of the rheological fluid to flow therethrough between the associated pair of bladders.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6869226Abstract: A drive train of a motor vehicle includes a power divider, a side shaft, a constant-velocity joint, an intermediate shaft, and a bearing unit. The intermediate shaft has first and second ends. The first end of the intermediate shaft is rotatably connected to the power divider and is mounted in the power divider with a first bearing, and the second end is located opposite the power divider and is connected to the side shaft via the constant-velocity joint. The bearing unit provides further mounting for the intermediate shaft between the first bearing and the constant-velocity joint. The bearing unit has a play oriented radially with respect to the intermediate shaft, and is able to exert a force oriented radially to the intermediate shaft on the intermediate shaft only after the play has been overcome.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Juergen Henkel, Thomas Keller, Andreas Kollmann, Dietmar Rill, Rolf Schroeder, Guenter Woerner
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Patent number: 6869225Abstract: A center bearing support having an increased shock absorbing capability by a stopper required when the vibrating displacement of a supported shaft is increased, including an inner ring installed on the inner periphery surface of an outer ring fixed to a body side through an elastic body made of elastomer material and a center bearing installed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner ring, wherein a stopper extending convergently is formed at the end part of the flexible main body of the elastic body, and a rib is formed between the stopper and the end part of the flexible main body at a specified phase interval, whereby, because a deformation force given by the contact of the stopper with the outer ring when an excessive displacement is input is absorbed by the displacement of the end part of the flexible main body, an abrupt rise of a spring constant can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2001Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: NOK-Vibracoustic Co., LTDInventor: Tsuyoshi Tatsumura
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Patent number: 6863443Abstract: A bearing including an inner ring an outer ring surrounding the inner ring with a radial clearance between the inner and outer ring, an annular inner supporting body disposed in the radial clearance, and an annular outer supporting body surrounding the inner supporting body circumferentially in a torsionally fixed manner and being displaceable with respect to the inner supporting body in an axial direction. The inner and outer supporting bodies join the inner and outer rings radially in a flexibly compliant manner.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KGInventor: Andreas Mahling
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Patent number: 6817771Abstract: A center bearing tuned absorber assembly includes a cylindrical center bearing for supporting a rotating propeller shaft, and a tuned absorber having an inner sleeve disposed around the center bearing, and a mass-spring assembly arranged on an outer circumference of the inner sleeve. The mass-spring assembly includes a mass radially offset from, and attached to, the inner sleeve by a first damping element. The mass-spring assembly is arranged circumferentially on the inner sleeve in the direction of a first bending frequency associated with the rotating propeller shaft. The mass-spring assembly may be axially or radially offset from the center bearing.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: GKN Driveline North America, Inc.Inventor: Craig Campbell
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Patent number: 6809898Abstract: A computer disk drive assembly is provided having a vibration damper for reducing transducer/track misregistration errors and acoustical noise in a computer disk drive having a rotating shaft. The disk drive generally includes a flexible interconnection between a base assembly and a bearing assembly, in combination with a rigid interconnection between the base assembly and the bearing assembly. By attenuating the amplitude of vibrations in the disk drive, the present invention allows for increased track densities and produces less acoustical noise than undamped disk drives.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Maxtor CorporationInventor: Vaclav Prochazka
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Publication number: 20040170350Abstract: An improved bearing assembly (5) especially suitable for supporting a rotating shaft (2) or similar component which is subjected to a symmetrical or irregular loading; the bearing assembly (5) includes at least two coaxial rolling type bearings (6, 7) each of which is provided with one or more mounting seals (9, 10); each seal (9, 10) is a ring of resilient material arranged to contact the external circumference of the bearing (6, 7) so that each bearing (6, 7) is mounted upon the corresponding seal or seals (9, 10).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2003Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Steven Murray McCallum, William Alexander Wright
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Patent number: 6749342Abstract: The bearing device is formed of a bearing seat, a roller bearing, and a squeeze element. The squeeze element rests over a large surface area on the outer ring of the roller bearing and rests only regionally on corresponding regions of the bearing seat. The regions are preferably linear or striplike and are oriented substantially axially. This facilitates the insertion and removal of the roller bearing into and out of the bearing seat and prevents rotation of the outer bearing ring even if the bearing seats are provided with relatively generous tolerances.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Memminger-IRO GmbHInventors: Eberhard Leins, Hermann Schmodde, Attila Horvath
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Publication number: 20040109625Abstract: An intermediate bearing for a driveline of a commercial vehicle has a housing (7) with a stirrup-shaped cross-section. The housing (7) has a fixing face (12) formed of two straight portions (8, 9) and a first arched portion (10). A bearing member (15) is arranged between the portions (8, 9, 10). The bearing member (15) is rubber and is connected to the fixing face (12) by vulcanization. A locking element (23) bridges the space between the two straight portions (8, 9). The locking member (23) is attached to the bearing member (15). The bearing member (15) encloses a supporting ring (16) which serves to receive a rolling contact bearing. The locking element (23) is adjustable for the purpose of setting a pre-tension of the bearing member (15) towards the longitudinal axis (18) of the bore (17) of the supporting ring (16). The locking element (23) can be connected to the housing (7) after the required pre-tension has been set.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Oliver Borsch, Harald Dierich, Ralf Sedlmeier
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Patent number: 6715925Abstract: An annular element for a rolling bearing comprises a cylindrical surface around the circumference of which a groove, the radial and axial depth of which are variable around the circumference, is formed. The cylindrical surface is suitable for being over-molded with a plastics material to form a body which is fixed firmly for rotation with the annular element and has a plastics projection complementary with the groove. The projection can cooperate with the groove to prevent relative rotation between the annular element and the body.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: SKF Industrie S.P.A.Inventors: Gianfranco Pairone, Francesco Gallucci
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Patent number: 6700255Abstract: A bearing system that includes a bearing 50 supported in a flexible bearing bracket, for example for use in fractional horsepower shaded pole type electric motors. The bearing system is self aligning, the bracket being able to deflect to compensate for deviations in the radial alignment of the rotor shaft. A rotation lock restrains the bearing against rotation within the bracket. In the preferred embodiment the bracket is composed of an elastomer and the bearing is composed of a high performance plastic polymer, so that the bearing system is non-lubricating.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventor: Christopher Scott Stenta
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Publication number: 20040022467Abstract: A center bearing assembly rotatably supports an intermediate portion of a vehicle driveshaft assembly during use. The center bearing assembly includes a rigid bracket that is secured to a support surface of the vehicle, a support member that is supported within the rigid bracket, and an annular bearing that is supported within the support member for rotatably supporting the intermediate portion of the vehicle driveshaft assembly. The support member is formed from a resilient material and has a cavity formed therein. A sponge is disposed within the cavity formed in the support member. The sponge may be formed from any material that is capable of absorbing or otherwise retaining a quantity of a rheological fluid therein. A control circuit is provided for selectively generating and applying an energy field to the Theological fluid contained within the sponge and thereby varying the resistance to flow or shear thereof. As a result, the vibration dampening characteristics of the support member can be varied.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Inventors: Scott B. Robb, James A. Duggan
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Patent number: 6682088Abstract: A bicycle head tube and ball bearing mounting arrangement in which two gasket rings are respectively mounted in expanded top and bottom receiving portions of a head tube to support a respective ball bearing assembly in each end of the head tube, which ball bearing assembly supports a handlebar stem and front fork assembly in the head tube, the gasket rings each having a curved inner diameter fitted over the bottom edge of the respective ball bearing assembly to prevent direct contact of the bottom edge of the respective ball bearing assembly from direct contact with the respective expanded receiving portion of the head tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Inventor: Wen-Hwa Lin
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Patent number: 6672768Abstract: An intermediate bearing for a driveline of a commercial vehicle has a housing (7) with a stirrup-shaped cross-section. The housing (7) has a fixing face (12) formed of two straight portions (8, 9) and a first arched portion (10). A bearing member (15) is arranged between the portions (8, 9, 10). The bearing member (15) is rubber and is connected to the fixing face (12) by vulcanization. A locking element (23) bridges the space between the two straight portions (8, 9). The locking member (23) is attached to the bearing member (15). The bearing member (15) encloses a supporting ring (16) which serves to receive a rolling contact bearing. The locking element (23) is adjustable for the purpose of setting a pre-tension of the bearing member (15) towards the longitudinal axis (18) of the bore (17) of the supporting ring (16). The locking element (23) can be connected to the housing (7) after the required pre-tension has been set.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Spicer Gelenkwellenbau GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Oliver Börsch, Harald Dierich, Ralf Sedlmeier
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Publication number: 20030219183Abstract: A bearing system includes a ball-and-socket joint (1) having an annular spherical body (2) and a congruently shaped, socket-type guide ring (3) for accommodating the spherical body (2), the ball-and-socket joint (1) being radially connected to an elastic annular spring element (4) made of an elastomer material and also being radially connected to a bearing (5); the spring element (4) being connected to a housing (6) on the side facing radially away from the ball-and-socket joint (1); the bearing (5) being able to execute cardanic movements relative to the housing (6); and the facing surfaces (7, 8) of the ball-and-socket joint (1) and housing (6) being always positioned relative to each other in a manner that avoids relative cardanic movements during operation of the bearing system as intended.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2003Publication date: November 27, 2003Applicant: Carl Freudenberg KGInventor: Michael Schuetz